2018 Housing and Mortgage Trends

2018 so far has been a good year as far as housing and mortgages are concerned. Experts in this field have been very creative, and there are a lot of trends in housing and mortgage that we should expect. This guide simplifies some of the most expected patterns.

Decelerating of home prices

Are you smiling already? If you are a first time home buyer, this could be the best news for you this year. It is expected that there will be a cooldown of home prices that appreciated last year. The average forecast of eight housing and mortgage industries and lender groups is an increase of 4.1% in the existing house prices throughout the nation, as compared to 2016 where it was 6.5% and almost 6% increase in 2017.

Acceleration of single-family homes

As compared to the previous years, 2016 and 2017, from the view of the economists, real estate professionals and housing and mortgage experts, it is expected to have a rise in the construction of single-family houses because of building permit and applications. An average approximation of single-family housing will rise to 8% this year. This is a rough estimate of 912,500 brand new houses.

Increase of homes to be sold

Late last year, it was a struggle for homebuyers to find houses and condos for sale. The reason for the shortage is often acute for the types of houses bought by first time home buyers. 2018 will come with hope. Most mortgage and housing industries have a prediction that the pinch from housing supply will ease in the last months of the year. There is a possibility of having a massive growth in inventory later this year.

Rise in home sales

The market is expected this year to modestly rise in re-selling existing homes. The median approximation rise of reselling existing homes is 3%. This is almost 5.6 million homes. New home sales are also expected to be on the rise to an average of 7%. This is mainly about 700,000 new single-family houses.

Rise in mortgage rates

In 2018, mortgage rates are expected to head up. Last year in November, the fixed-rate mortgage average of the 30-year was 4.07%. This shows that the interest rates are not easily predicted. The beginning of 2017 had a lot of people expecting a steady rise in the mortgage rates throughout the whole year. They only did for several weeks. The average rate of the 30-year rose in March of the year at 4.5% and then later declined slightly to below 4% during the summer, and finally, there was an increase in the fall.

Continuation of security headaches

There is a high chance that in 2018, there will be a continuation of theft instances and cases, where down payments from home buyers, especially new home buyers, is stolen by a compilation of email hacking to wire fraud. Most lenders, title companies, and escrow companies are aware of the dangers of cyber theft and do everything they can to secure these payments.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

Debt-Proof Your Credit Cards with These Tips

The thought of credit cards oftentimes makes people get nervous. Getting credit card rewards or the sign-up offers and bonuses can be enticing. The worrying part is getting entangled in debt accumulations and the interests that come with the debt.

How about the thought of a solid debt-proofing strategy? If you wish to get credit beyond what you can comfortably afford, then this is what you need. To prepare to debt-proofing your credit, there are three necessary steps you should follow to protect yourself from having your credit card debt and sending the debtor’s interest spiraling. Read these steps below.

1. Starting an emergency/precautionary fund

You can face unexpected situations, either twists or turns. Examples include having medical debt, your car being repaired, losing your job or just any other emergency that begs you to get a loan. It is recommended to create an emergency fund to tap into rather than having to rely on the high-interest credit cards to make up for the expenses that are unexpected.

Most people are shaken and discouraged by the guidelines that require one to have at least three-six months of living expenses. From the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, even a little starter saving fund can be of benefit to you. For instance, having a saving fund of $450 is quite enough for coverage of common and fundamental emergencies like medical expenses or motor vehicle repair costs.

Emergency funds are always an ongoing gift, stress relieving and reassuring way because it gives you a feeling of not being dependent on somebody for the emergency bill payments. You should consider keeping your funds in a savings account, which will not require to pay monthly account maintenance fees.

2. Maintaining good credit to qualify for low-interest loans

It is rare to find all the expenses being covered by an emergency or precautionary fund. You should always have an option B just in case the first one does not go as expected. The plan B could involve you applying and use the 0% introductory credit card (APR). These cards can help you save some money on the interest charged for a reasonable duration of time. It will require you to have an excellent credit score that is 690 or even higher for you to qualify. Maintaining good credit will entail you being punctual and determined in making all the debt payment on time and only use up to 30% of their credit limits.

Having good credit gives a person a variety of options apart from having the time for a credit card application and waiting upon its arrival when you have an urgency to take care of.

3. When you notice your debt is growing, you need to act fast

It is wise for you to take action as soon as you come to know that the credit card interest is getting started in piling up. The quick steps that you can consider include cutting off extra expenses, having side jobs and getting another credit card (specifically the balance transfer card).
Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

When is the Best Time to Buy a Home?

We all know that the best time to buy or sell their house would be spring. However, this is not necessarily true, it’s just that spring is real estate’s busiest time of the year. Real estate experts and home building technicians note that the emphasis on spring as the best buying season has its good reasons, nevertheless, there are some common enduring misconceptions that have been made about the real estate market.

Many buyers and sellers in real estate should then rethink about the seasons, and consider looking at the best season that will suit their house and area of location. Even though fall and winter are known to offer less inventory, most people who buy homes during this time are serious buyers (buying a house with a purpose). They have a very good reason to relocate. Unlike the spring buyers who might come in large numbers to check out your house, a larger percentage will just be looking. It’s better to deal with two serious buyers in winter who will come with their agents and close a deal within a few days, than to deal with more than 30 looking buyers with a very low chance of actually buying the house. Also, the other hidden advantage with winter is that the low inventory increases the amount of time spent shopping. Buying or selling a house in the spring can be challenging because the real estate spring season sometimes may not coincide with what the calendar is saying.

In the real estate market, January marks the beginning of spring. At this time, everyone seems to have a handful of activities to deal with after the holidays come to an end. The season ends around mid-May. At this time, many people tend to list and sell their homes and this trend continues throughout summer. As you move closer to the end of summer, the listings will begin to tail off. September will be a low month because the graph continues dropping for the subsequent months until you have the lowest listings in December. This doesn’t mean that in December, real estate will experience zero activities, it’s just that the inventory will be low.

Most buyers and sellers in the real estate market should not depend on your agent’s enthusiasm when experienced with a scenario of low inventory and high competition for the buyers. This will turn into a bidding war and only the smartest agent will win.

Having a moving timetable is very helpful. Obtain your own personal real estate schedule that dictates when you prefer to move in or out of the house. Start working backwards using the timetable. Calculate the average time needed from the contract negotiation to the closing a deal, depending on the region (most agents suggest the time span to be around 4 weeks). But to be on the safe side, it can take up to three months.

Look at what builders are offering you with regards to building a new home from scratch. This is very crucial for buyers who would like to move to a newly built house. The one-month time frame might be possible for a buyer who wants to purchase a spec home (quick move-in), a new house that is partially or fully built by the house builder. A longer period of time will be required for home buyers who are designing and constructing a new home from scratch and a have large volume builder. The bigger contractors offer more efficiency and shorter building time, unlike the custom/small builders who take a few more months. The custom house building process can even take many months as both the constructor and buyer look for the best model/design.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

4 Easy Ways to Buy Your Orange County Home Fast

The real estate market has become extra competitive. You can wait for years before a potential buyer comes your way. However, there are some skilled steps you can follow that will hasten the home buying process.

1. Have a team of real estate experts
Having a team of reliable experts who are well aware of the real estate environment you are house hunting should be the first thing to do. Your team should have experience and be very updated with the current real estate trends in the region.

Your team should consist of: a mortgage banker, real estate attorney, and a real estate broker. It will be best if your team had previously worked together on similar projects. The board of the team is you, the others are just your executives.

Your agent should have enough connections that will be useful to your house hunting process. He will be aware of all the properties that will soon be available for sale in the market before the properties are made public. If you build a very good relationship with your agent, he/she will always keep you updated on the best properties in your area of interest.

2. Make sure you have a home loan ready that is pre approved
We all know that buying a home will involve a lot of paperwork with the longest part being the mortgage approval. Some of the legal documents you will need are: 1099s, debt information statements, gift letters, W-2s, and bank statements. To save time and a last minute headache, start gathering all these papers early enough and have them checked and confirmed for pre approval. Make sure your loan officer gives you a pre approval letter way before you begin hunting for a new house. With your pre approval letter, you can show the seller that you are indeed a serious buyer and able to financially afford buying the house.

3. Make high inventory areas your first house hunting zones
Everyone has a wish list when it comes to moving to a new hometown. Some common factors include easy transportation and access to social amenities like shopping centers and move theaters. The other factor to consider is high-inventory regions.

Research shows that homes located in low-inventory areas tend to slow the whole home buying process. Look at the surrounding region in your preferred area that match the same criteria you are looking for. With an area that is less economically prosperous, you will get a stronger offer with a possible discount. Avoid looking at properties that don’t meet your criteria.

4. Sell your current before you purchase a new house
A contingency sale is one of the most common ways of slowing down a possible purchase. Most buyers who are in fast-moving real estate markets aren’t ready to handle any form of contingency sale.

If you want to have a faster successful house hunting process, it’s good to first unload your current home. Make sure the amount of your equity in the bank is ample enough and the closing date of your house is flexible. This means you will have to look for storage facilities where you can store up your stuff for a few weeks or months. Early packing will prove to be very useful at this point.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita or Coto de Caza? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

APR vs. Interest Rate

When applying for a mortgage, most people have heard two terminologies being used. Annual percentage rate (APR) is the total sum of loan you will be paying when you finally finish paying the mortgage. It is relatively different from the interest rate. The Interest rate (IR) is the daily cost you will be paying based on the existing balance on your mortgagee. For first time buyers, the terms will be new, and it’s good to understand the terms.

Mortgage interest rate?

This is the daily expense you will be incurring based on your loan and is usually expressed in a percentage rate. It’s calculated per day/per diem figure. Each month you are supposed to pay back a fraction of the amount you had borrowed together with the monthly accrued interest. The amortization formula will be used by your lender to come up with a payment schedule, which will show your mortgage interest on the loan and the principal.

The determinants of mortgage interest rate

The mortgage interest rates tend to fluctuate just like all the other financial variables. The mortgage interest rates can change daily depending on the trends and changes affecting the housing market.

Below are vital factors that affect the mortgage interest rates:

Borrower’s credit score

Lenders will use your credit score to determine your reliability when it comes to making timely payment of the loan. The credit score is just an official summary of your credit transactions. Customers who have higher credit scores get lower interest rates on their mortgage loans.

The principal amount and the down payment

Having a substantial down payment for your home will make lenders want give you a better interest rate since they assume that less risk is involved. A low down payment will require you to get a private mortgage insurance coverage. Also, when it comes to the loan type or prevailing circumstance, the closing costs and the mortgage insurance can be added to your mortgage loan.

Your home location

The location of the home will determine the interest rates, prime areas tend to have different standards compared regions that are not favored in the real estate industry. The location of your home can lower or raise the interest rates of your home.

What is a Mortgage APR?

APR involves a comprehensive measure of the expenses you will incur when borrowing money and is typically expressed in a percentage just like the interest rates. It will determine the total amount of money you will pay the lender annually for the entire time the loan is still active.

What determines my Mortgage APR?

The APR includes the mortgage interest rates, original mortgage fees, discounts points and additional expenses that are associated with getting the loan. A higher APR means higher monthly payments over the loan term.

Points To Note

When lenders market APRs, most of them provide rates the “ideal” market conditions like excellent credit scores by borrowers, spotless documentation, etc. Therefore depending on a borrower’s circumstances, the APR will be adjusted accordingly. The rates will go higher.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

Tap the Equity in Your Home with These 5 Reverse Mortgage Tips

If you’re in your sixties and own your home, chances are you have heard about reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages allow you to tap the equity in your property. But they have risks and could be costly. Here are five tips you should consider:

1. Weighing your options

Whether you need money to pay bills or could use some extra cash, a reverse mortgage should be your last resort. Other options include selling your home and downsizing or renting. You can also take out a home equity loan or line of credit. If credit cards are the issue, you can consider consolidating that debt. If paying real estate taxes or house maintenance costs are the problem, look into local government assistance programs that could help. You have a lot of options. So ask your state agency on aging about lower-cost, less risky ways to fulfill your needs.

2. Understanding the costs, fees and risks

Even though you will not be making any interest payments as long as you live in your home, your interest rate matters. If you choose to move, you will have to pay back the reverse mortgage plus compounded interest. The same thing is true if you have to leave your home for more than twelve months. You should ask about all costs and fees which includes any prepayment penalties.

3. Recognizing the full impact of your decision

The income or lump sum you receive can affect your eligibility or your spouse’s eligibility for a variety of state and federal benefits. This includes Medicaid. It may not have the same home-equity protection that would otherwise apply if you have a health emergency and need to enter a nursing home that you can only pay for by liquidating assets.

4. Getting independent advice

Reverse mortgages are known to be complicated transactions. The federal government requires borrowers to meet with HUD-approved counselors prior to getting a federally guaranteed loan. You will need to confirm that any counselor recommended by your lender is truly independent. You could do this by asking whether he or she receives any funding from the lender or the mortgage industry.

While many loans are federally guaranteed, most lenders offer proprietary loans that are not. Even if you are applying for a proprietary loan, it is a good idea to get advice from a trusted financial adviser who has no interest in either the reverse mortgage or any investment you plan to make with the proceeds. Prior to agreeing to a reverse mortgage, you should consult with legal and tax professionals who know the consequences of reverse mortgages for residents of your state and who are not connected in any other way to the transaction or the lender.

5. Being skeptical of reverse mortgages

Be very skeptical if someone urges you to get a reverse mortgage to make an investment or buy an insurance product or a security. You should particularly do this if they are promising high returns. They are encouraging you to speculate with your home equity. You might need for more critical purposes down the road. If you cannot afford to get a low return or the loss of your home, you should not be investing with your home equity funds.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

3 Secrets to Investing in Real Estate

Real estate is most likely missing from your investment portfolio. From many investment advisors not wanting to tell you advice for investments they do not earn a commission on, to the horror stories of becoming a landlord and dealing with stopped up toilets and irritated tenants, investing in real estate oftentimes gets pushed to the side. Even though at the same time, all of us know real estate’s cash generating potential and we instinctively want a piece of it.

You must be ardent in your desire to add real estate to your portfolio because no one else will tell you it is a good idea. To capture the unique tax advantages afforded in real estate, you should learn how to evaluate a real estate transaction yourself and must decide which type of real estate investment matches your personality and how you would invest. When you conclude real estate meets your need for reliable cash flow with the opportunity for appreciation, you should invest in it.

1. Defeat your allies

In many cases, your trusted and paid advisors such as your wealth manager, broker or tax accountant may suggest you avoid real estate in your portfolio altogether. They usually give the same tired reasons that it is too management intensive. Those could be valid arguments based on your specific situation, but that’s not the real reason they want you to avoid real estate.

Stockbrokers do not get paid for you to invest in real estate. There is nothing in it for them, unless they want you to buy a high-cost non-traded REIT, but now you will know their true motivation. You need to do your own research to decide if the potential cash flow from real estate is right for you.

2. Grade school arithmetic

Real estate is a numbers game, but you might be surprised to know that you learned all of the skills necessary in grade school. To decide whether or not to go with a potential investment, you will only need a few key formulas and nothing will be more difficult than long division. Once you have mastered these concepts, you will have the numerical tools to effectively underwrite real estate investments.

3. Use a taxable account

Why try to avoid taxes by investing through an 401k or IRA when the government brings tax advantages to real estate? The cash flow that you receive may not be entirely what the IRS considers taxable income especially in the early years of a real estate investment. Non-cash items like depreciation and amortization will serve to dramatically reduce your taxable income but have no impact on your cash flow. Taxable losses can be wasted in an 401k or IRA but have great value in your taxed account.

Real estate needs to be a part of a diversified investment portfolio when it comes to retirement in particular. You will take ownership of your investment future by equipping yourself with the proper tools to evaluate transactions and the self-awareness to seek out real estate investments when others tell you not to.

Do you have questions about investing in real estate? Click here to contact our partners at the Ryan Grant Team today! And if you’re ready to start searching homes let us know!

Deed vs. Title in Orange County

When a couple purchases a house, whose name gets written on the title and whose name goes on the mortgage deed? For most homebuyers, the simple answer will be that both names go on both documents. But there are always exceptions with good reason. Here are a few things to know about this complex topic before you buy a home.

What’s the Difference Between Title and Mortgage

It is worth clarifying for the uninitiated that a property title and mortgage deed are not the same thing. The term “title” particularly refers to the rights of ownership. A title grants an individual or individuals exclusive possession, use and transfer of ownership rights for a given real estate property. A mortgage, called a “deed of trust” in some states, pledges real property to secure the loan.

Just over half of home buyers will use a home loan to purchase their home. This means that they will have both a title and a mortgage. For these people, a decision will need to be made about whose name gets written on the title and the mortgage. Since both documents are not the same, this answer for each could vary.

Leaving Your Spouse Off the Mortgage

There may be a good reason to apply for a mortgage under only one name for some couples. Mortgage lenders usually apply a minimum FICO rule. This is when the credit score used to judge the mortgage application is the middle-lower score of the two applicants. If one person has bad credit, it could affect the interest rate they qualify for and lead to higher costs.

A short or unusual work history is a common reason some couples go with a joint mortgage application. Most lenders have “2/2/2” documentation requirements. This is two years of tax returns, two years of W2 income statements and two months of bank statements.

Saving Money by Applying for a Loan By Yourself

The Washington Post recently reported on a twelve-year study by the Federal Reserve that found many couples were leaving money on the table by applying jointly when one spouse could have qualified for the mortgage alone, and the results were striking.

Out of more than six hundred thousand conventional loans issued between 2003 and 2015, ten percent could have qualified for a lower interest rate by having the better-qualified buyer apply alone.Nearly ten percent of prime borrowers who applied for their loans jointly could have lowered their mortgage interest rate at least one-eighth of one percentage point if the mortgage was applied for by the applicant with a higher credit score and an income high enough to qualify for the mortgage loan. Federal economists revealed that a further twenty-five percent of borrowers could have significantly reduced the cost of their home loan by having the more qualified borrower apply singly.

How Both Names Could Be on the Title and Not the Mortgage

The same Washington Post article noted that many couples applying for a home loan have strong feelings about applying jointly for their mortgage loan. While the couple is purchasing the house together, there is a feeling of joint ownership that is important to them, even though both individuals could be on the legal title to the house without both being on the mortgage. This arrangement is also available to both married and unmarried couples.

But how can this be? A mortgage deed involves an agreement to pay back the loan amount borrowed to buy the home. But the title is a separate matter of ownership entirely.

Issues Raised by Deed and Title Assignment

Divorce is a common issue for houses with a joint mortgage or title. If a house is paid for, lawyers will usually look for a way to divide up the assets. This oftentimes gets accomplished through a quitclaim deed, where one party gives their ownership rights over to the former spouse. If there is a mortgage loan on the home, lawyers then look at ways to divide liabilities. The party who remains in the house will often refinance the loan individually before the other party cedes ownership through a quitclaim.

Another common question is what happens to a title and mortgage loan when one spouse dies. As with most matters in real estate, it oftentimes depends on the location. The laws governing property transfer upon death and inheritance are largely chosen at the state level and not all states agree on the best way to go about it.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

How to Prepare to Buy an Orange County Home in 2018

The home-buying process is extensive and could be overwhelming. This is especially true for new homeowners who don’t do their homework.

If you are in the market to buy a home next year, now is the time to start preparing. We are here to help!

Getting Pre-Approved

The moment you choose to buy a house, work with a mortgage lender to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Knowing how much you qualify for will narrow down your options and direct your research.

But do not overextend yourself. Just because you qualify for a two hundred fifty thousand dollar loan, this does not mean your house should cost two hundred fifty thousand dollars. You need to consider other expenses such as taxes, interest payments and homeowners insurance.

Prioritize Your Top Priorities

After you have an idea of how much you would like to spend, make a decision on the lifestyle that suits you and your family. You should consider factors like proximity to shopping and entertainment, great schools and how much land you would like. Deciding what is most important to you will help further focus your search.

Start Saving Money

Most mortgage lenders require a down payment towards your mortgage loan, which could be up to twenty percent. If you do not have enough money at your disposal, you can save for a bit longer or perhaps borrow against your IRA or retirement account.

Despite how you come up with the initial deposit, make sure you can prove the source of the funds. Lenders will not accept cash payments and if your down payment was a gift from a generous giver, be prepared to bring a gift letter.

Count the Cost

You need to also be prepared for other out-of-pocket expenses during the home buying process. You will need money for things like closing costs and home inspections before your close, appliances, furniture and utilities afterwards. Do your homework to understand how much money you will be paying upfront and save accordingly.

Credit Matters

You need to be extra careful with your credit during this process. Review your credit report and make sure there are no inaccuracies. Don’t open new credit accounts and make major purchases. Several inquiries could negatively impact your credit score. This can impact your loan decision and your interest rate.

Hire a Pro

When it comes to finding your dream house, you shouldn’t have to go at it alone. A qualified real estate agent is familiar with the ever-changing real estate market and can guide you through the process. This includes contract negotiations.

A mortgage lender can help you make a wise choices based your monthly budget and lifestyle needs. They also share tricks and tips with you along the way to save you time and money.

Clean House

When you find the perfect home, you will be moving in a matter of weeks. Take the time early in the process to get rid of items you do not want to bring with you. Starting this early on will make it easier to pack when the time comes.

Are you in the market to buy a home in Coto de Caza, Rancho Santa Margarita, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

Can You Pay your Mortgage Using Bitcoins?

Bitcoins are all the rage right now and are changing the way people think about money. But can you pay your mortgage using this new digital currency? Find out below!

If you are looking to buy a house, there are a number of financial assets that could help you qualify for a mortgage including your current home, cash in savings and checking, retirement accounts and other investments. But what if you have assets that include bitcoins? While the cryptocurrency was recently labelled as an asset by the Internal Revenue Service, most lenders remain wary about how to value and accept this new digital currency.

Bitcoins as Assets

Bitcoin has been around for about eight years. It could be used in the mortgage transaction just like any other form of money. But there are a few problems. What is one Bitcoin worth? Will anybody accept them?

Let’s start with the worth of a Bitcoin. We would treat it like any other foreign currency. It would need to be converted in terms of value if not in terms of actual conversion to United States dollars. The good news is that there are exchanges for them. One Bitcoin was worth $16,490 on December 14, 2017 3:29pm PST.

Until more consistent rules are put into place, here are some ways you may be able to use Bitcoin during the mortgage process.

To pay closing costs and fees: A Manhattan mortgage provider made history in late 2013 when it became the first firm to accept bitcoins for real estate closing costs and fees. While this is an exciting milestone for the cryptocurrency, the trend has yet to catch on with most lenders. And do not expect to be able to make your mortgage payment in bitcoins because most experts think that is a long way off.

Use bitcoins as an asset on your mortgage application: Valuing bitcoin on a mortgage application is new territory for most mortgage lenders, so you might struggle to find one who will take this asset into consideration. But there is anecdotal evidence that a handful of mortgage providers are becoming more bitcoin-friendly. Just like all assets used to qualify for a mortgage, you will need to verify the value of the bitcoins you hold and submit proper and often extensive documentation to your mortgage provider.

Use bitcoins for proper documentation of transactions in a bank account: Even if you don’t plan on using your bitcoins to boost your assets when you apply for a mortgage, your mortgage provider may still request documentation for any large transactions in and out of your bank account. Your mortgage provider would want to confirm how that money entered your bank account if you cashed out a large amount of bitcoins to use for a down payment. This is similar to accounting for large cash gifts. Mortgage providers need to be sure you have not borrowed money from somewhere else to boost your liquid assets. For this reason, you should be prepared with a record of your bitcoin-to-bank-account transaction history.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!